Despite another failure with the bat as he continues his comeback,
Michael Vaughan is expected to return to England's one-day squad later
this week and may regain the captaincy.
In his fourth match since knee surgery, Vaughan was dismissed for 14
Tuesday playing for the England Academy, just hours after England coach
Duncan Fletcher had given his rehabilitation a glowing endorsement.
Vaughan had made a duck and nine in his two previous appearances for
the England Academy over the last fortnight, and did not bat in the
two-day game England played against WA.
There were mitigating circumstances for Tuesday's failure, as the ball
was seaming about prodigiously in overcast and muggy conditions ideal
for swing bowling.
Vaughan lasted 32 balls and showed signs of his form returning with a
couple of elegant boundaries, before again falling to a mistimed pull
shot that was skied to mid-on, as he had done in his previous innings.
Despite his indifferent form, the 2005 Ashes skipper is expected to be
recalled when England announces its squad for the triangular one-day
series, starting in mid-January, later this week.
Fletcher again ruled out Vaughan playing in the last two Ashes Tests
and said the selectors were yet to make a final decision on the form
and fitness of the former skipper with regards to a one-day recall.
However, the tone of Fletcher's response suggested the 32-year-old was
very much on target to play in the triangular series.
"It is very positive and it is pleasing to see," he said. "Vaughan has
been training with (fitness trainer) Nigel Stockill and he is moving
around very freely. In fact, he says he hasn't felt so good for some
time."
Fletcher confirmed Vaughan was being considered as captain for the
one-dayers.
"We'll have to make that decision when we meet with the other
selectors," he said. "The players have been happy with (Andrew)
Flintoff, we will have to take that into consideration when we pick the
one-day side."
Flintoff had said he hoped to remain captain for the one-day series on
Monday, just after the third Test loss to Australia.
"If the job is available, of course I will," Flintoff said when asked
if he would make himself available to captain in the one-dayers.
Vaughan has not played at the top level for England since the third
Test against Pakistan in Lahore 13 months ago. He has a modest one-day
record and his last limited overs appearance for England was against
Australia in July last year.
Pace bowler Steve Harmison is likely to return home after the Tests,
along with spinner Monty Panesar and wicketkeeper Geraint Jones, while
batsman Mike Yardy and pace bowler Stuart Broad will be in the
selection mix.
All-rounder Jamie Dalrymple, called into the Test squad following the
departure of spinner Ashley Giles and a chance to play in the last two
Tests, is likely to be part of the one-day outfit and provide the spin
option.